CAR/BUF Preview
Here’s a side by side positional comparison of the Panthers against the Bills.
Quarterback:
Everyone of us hopes that by next year at this time this is different. But right now there’s no question. Even after a sub-par debut for Newton.
Cam Newton: 16-23, 125 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 97.2 RTG, 38 yards rushing
Ej Manuel: 18-27, 150 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 105.5 RTG, 23 yards rushing
Running Back:
The duo of Spiller and Jackson is one of the top tandems in the NFL. With injuries always an issue in the Carolina backfield, Buffalo by far has the better rushing attack.
DeAngelo Williams: 17 – 86 yards, 0 TD, 2 FB
Fred Jackson: 13-67 yards, 0 TD
Receivers/TE:
Greg Olsen and Steve Smith are proven options. The young Bills receiver group is lead by Stevie Johnson and we’re still waiting for someone else to step-up. It’s possible it’s Robert Woods or TJ Graham but youth = inexperience. Also Bills leading receiver currently is Fred Jackson.
Greg Olsen: 5-56 yards,
Steve Smith: 6-51 yards, 1 TD
Steve Johnson: 3-39, 1 TD
Scott Chandler: 4-38
O-Line:
This one is close, but I am giving the edge to the Bills. Manuel faced very little pressure last week while Newton had to use his legs quite frequently to buy time in the pocket. How Buffalo holds up against this Panther front-7 will really show what kind of group we have up front.
D-Line:
Slight edge to Carolina. On paper it should be Buffalo. The Bills were able to pressure Brady last week, but struggled against the run. Carolina’s line was able to hold Lynch and pressure Wilson, but their secondary failed them terribly. Where ever Rivera coaches you can count on solid play from his D-Line.
Linebackers:
As Bills fans we should be pleased with the play of Alonso and Lawson last week. But Kuechly and Davis are both significantly better than any LB on our roster right now. This one isn’t even close.
Luke Kuechly: 9 tackles, 6 solo, 1 TFL
Tommy Davis: 9 tackles, 5 solo
Kiko Alonso: 9 tackles, 5 solo, FUM
Arthur Moats: 4 tackles, 2 solo, 1 TFL
Secondary:
Without Gilmore, the young Bills secondary really stepped up. Leodis McKelvin and DaNorris Searcy both had their best games as pro’s, Jim Leonard stepped in admirably and Aaron Williams has transitioned to the safety spot potentially saving his career. Carolina’s secondary couldn’t stop a nosebleed. Russell Wilson completed 75% of his passes to very depleted receiving core, while being pressured consistently. Expect a shootout.
Charles Godfrey: 9 tackles, 7 solo, 1 sack
Josh Thomas: 5 tackles, 5 solo
Da’Norris Searcy: 9 tackles, 5 solo, 1 sack, 1 FUM, 1 TD
Leodis McKelvin: 6 tackles, 5 solo, 4 PD
Coaching:
Crazy Right? Ron Rivera is in his 3rd season as head coach of the Panthers. He is 2-7 in the month of September. 3 of his 13 wins are against a team with a winning record. What has Marrone shown? Not much, but coming off a tough loss to New England, I think this is where Marrone will shine. Even with the injuries, I believe the Bills will be ready for Carolina.
Ron Rivera: 13-20
Doug Marrone: 0-1-0
I think the Bills win this one 24-17
